THE National Futsal team Kurukuru has welcomed its Brazilian coach, Vinicius De Carvalho Leite who arrived in the country, Tuesday.

Coach ‘Vinnie’ as commonly known arrived yesterday along with Alexandre Argolo, a Strength and Conditioning coach.

Both coaches are looking forward to work with the Oceania champions with high hopes and expectations though they admitted it is a big test for them.

“It’s going to be a big test ahead for us both coaches and the players and we look forward to it.

“My expectations are the highest and the best possible.

“This is a winning team but you’re only as good as the next game and win the next tournament.

“What they’ve done in the past is in the past, they achieved some great results in the past but now we have to move forward because the other teams are preparing harder to strengthen their squad, bring in new coaches so they are evolving and we have to do the same.

“We can’t rely on what we have achieved in the past we need to keep looking forward that’s why I brought a new coaching staff, Alexandre Argolo a Strength and conditioning coach who worked with the best clubs in Brazil and Bayern Munich in Germany and I think he will help take Kurukuru to the next level.

“We need to start thinking about getting out of the group stage at the World Cup not just qualifying to get there, to get to the World Cup is a dream we can reach but our goal now is to get out of the group stage.

“I want to thank SIFF and the players for making this happen,” he said.

Vinnie said it is a dream come true to coach a winning team like Kurukuru.

He came to know the Kurukuru team in 2016 when he was invited by the then Kurukuru coach, Juliano Schmeling to be part of the Kurukuru coaching staff.

Kurukuru captain, Elliot Ragomo welcomed the two coaches to be part of Kurukuru and vowed to work with them to achieve Kurukuru’s goals.

“Welcome to the Solomon Islands, thank you Vinnie and Argolo to come and be part of Kurukuru.

“I think it’s the right time for Vinnie to come and lead Kurukuru.

“We the Kurukuru team really looks forward and are prepared to work with the two coaches

“We want to do well and compete to a whole new level.

“I believe very strongly what Vinnie can do because I have seen and have worked with him.

Kurukuru’s goal is to once again qualify for the World Cup and go past the group stage

Ragomo added it is time for Kurukuru to make a big change and they believe that change will come about with the help of the two coaches.

The duo will help Kurukuru with the preparation for the OFC Futsal Championship in New Caledonia.

The OFC Futsal championship is schedule for September 12 to October 30.

The winner will represent Oceania at the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.

Ramogo made the statement to the local media shortly after the arrival of the two much needed coaches yesterday in Honiara.

“First of all, thank you so much Vinicius and Argolo, you have no idea how much we look forward for you two to come to Solomon Islands,’’ he said.

“Over the past months we are talking and looking for Kurukuru coach.

“For me, I believe very strongly what Vinicius can do for Kurukuru because I’ve seen and worked with him during our participation in 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup,’’ he said.

Vinicius was introduced to Kurukuru by the former Kurukuru coach, Juliano Schmelling leading up to the 2016 World Cup in Colombia.

He was also part of the team Kurukuru that participated in the 2016 World Cup in Colombia as assistant coach to Schmelling.

“I think its right time for Vinicius to come over and lead us.

“We all Kurukuru players are excited to have him with us as our head coach,” he said.

Ramogo also stressed the players are also looking forward to work closely with the new coach and his assistant, Argolo as they have a very big task to defend their title in the Oceania Futsal Champions which also serves as World Cup Qualifying competition set to be held October this year in New Caledonia.

Ragomo added the Kurukuru boys knew what is expected from the two coaches and pledged them their support as the two new coaches will kick off their official training with Kurukuru today.

“All the boys have in their minds now is, we want to do well and compete.

“We are so eager to work with you two.

“We will do all our best that we can offer,” he said.

Ramogo challenged the two new coaches that the Kurukuru boys are eyeing to reach the next level through the new coaches leadership.

“We want to go to the next level through your leadership Vinicius and Argolo.

“Our goal is to qualify to the world cup.

“We hope that you two can lead us there,” he said.

Rogomo further expressed, Kurukuru is a very strong team in the Pacific but also a very proud team in Solomon Islands.

“We are so proud and privilege to work with you two.”

On the same note the veteran skipper also called on members of the public to support the team one way the other as they are currently preparing to defend their title in Oceania Futsal Championship October this year in New Caledonia.

Solomon Warriors are gearing up to host the OFC Champions League Group D in Honiara from 24 February to 2 March at Lawson Tama.

The Solomon Islands champions coach Moses Toata said his boys have stepped up preparation since turn of the year.

“We are into the third week of pre- competition training and the first two week was the hardest because we are working on fitness mostly”, the former Solomon Islands international said.

“We're sort of in the preseason period which involves a lot of strength and conditioning work and getting their fitness level up and try to organize a couple of friendly match in the coming week”.

Meanwhile, Toata has named a 20 man squad this week which include core members of his Telekom S-League winning team.

Most players in the team have experience playing in the Oceania premier international competition besides Alvin Hou and national U-19 defender Aengari Gagame will make their OFC Champions League debut for the Warrriors.

Warriors will take on the winner of the qualifying stage on February 24 at Lawson Tama.

THE Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee (SINPC) is organizing a three-day Agitos Workshop and Athletics coaching course for parents of para-athletes, coaches and medical personnel.

The course will start 9am today, ending January 25.

It will be held at the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) conference room.

Christopher Nunn, Project Coordinator of the Oceania Paralympic Committee and guest trainer, says the objective of the workshop is to identify potential para athletes and other important areas to help boost SINPC with its vision.

“We are absolutely delighted the workshop will be an opportunity for us to identify potential para-athletes, particularly looking at who can coach the athletes as well and importantly looking at what needs to be done from an administration perspective to ensure the athletes got what they need to support them in their endeavors.

“So we are very excited there’s a great group of people coming from variety of sports such as swimming, athletics, archery and several other sports.”

Nunn, who had conducted the course in Oceania in the past years, said Solomon Islands is now become the priority country for them to visit since they did not have representatives in the Rio Paralympic Games.

“In Rio we have no athletes thus we want to ensure we have representation for the paralympic games from Solomon Islands in our next event in Tokyo,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, all parents of para-athletes and para athletes are strongly encouraged to liaise with SINPC if they wand to join paralympic sports.